Air vent for steam heating systems



Feb. 9, 1932. E. L. WATSON 1,844,451

AIR VENT FOR STEAM HEATING SYSTEMS Filed Nov. 4, 1929 4 4C F E 2 7 ,c S 7 7 v a 5 INVENTOR ATTORN EYrs Patented Feb. 9, 1932 UNITED STATES EARNEST Ir. WATSON, 0F MILAN, MICHIGAN AIR VENT FOR STEAM HEATING SYSTEMS Application filed November 4, 1929.

This invention relates generally to air vents for steam heating systems.

One of the essential objects of the invention is to provide a vent of this type having means for permitting the escape of air and preventing the escape of steam or water from the system.

Another objectis to provide a vent having means for permitting the escape of air to the atmosphere and for preventing the re-entry of air from the atmosphere into the system.

Another object is to provide a vent in which the escape of air and the retention of steam and water is under the control of a single element.

Another object is to provide a vent in which adjustments may be made to control the element aforesaid.

Another object is to provide a vent which is simple in construction and can be manufactured at a comparatively low cost.

"With the above and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts that will be hereinafter more fully described and articularly pointed out in the appended c aims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a vent embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the float in raised position;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the float expanded and closing both upper and lower ports;

Figure & is a cross sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the construction shown in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a bottom plan View of the construction shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 is a casing and 2 is a float of a vent embodying my invention. As shown, the casing 1 comprises upper and lower headers 3 and 1 respectively of cast iron and an intermediate wrought iron pipe 5. Preferably the headers 3 and 4 have aligned openings or ports 6 and 7 respectively therein and threadedly engage the pipe 5 at opposite ends thereof. The float Serial No. 404,753.

2 isrelatively light and preferably comprises two cones 8 and 9 of norrferrous metal such as brass arranged end to end with the apices thereof within the aligned ports 6 and 7 respectively. Preferably the cones 8 and 9 are slampings and the bases 10 and 11 respectively thereof are rigidly secured together and are reinforced by a steel structure 12 of substantially flat bar stock. As shown, the structure extends transversely of the float and is terminally secured to the cone bases 10 and 11 at diametrically opposite sides thereof.

In the present instance the casing 1 is mounted upon a boiler (not shown) of the steam heating system and for this purpose the lower header 4 has an exteriorly threaded nipple 13 in alignment with the port 7 for attachment to a suitable outlet part or fitting (not shown) of the boiler.

In use air passing upwardly through the nipple 13 will unseat the float 2 from the port 7 and will pass upwardly around the cone and outwardly through the port 6 to the atmosphere. However, as steam rises in the nipple 13 the cones 8 and 9 will be heated, and having a high co-efficient of expansion but being held by the structure 12 against transverse or lateral expansion,the cones will expand or move longitudinally and in doing so will close both ports 6 and 7 thereby preventing steam from escaping. When water surges upwardly in the nipple 13 the float 2 will be raised by the water from the port 7 and will close the port 6. Thus the water will be prevented from escaping. WVhen the radiators (not shown) of the heating system become hot, the thermostat (not shown) cuts off the draft, and the steam condenses in the system tending to form a vacuum, whereupon the float of its own weight will return to and close the port 7. Thus air from the atmosphere cannot re-enter the system. Inasmuch as the headers 3 and 4 threadedly engage the intermediate pipe 5 said headers may be adjusted on the pipe toward or away from each other as desired to regulate the movement of the float. When in the proper position, the parts may be locked by suitable pins 14. Moreover it will be noted that the cones 8 and 9 are self-aligning and will adjust themselves automatically to their respective seats.

While it is believed that from the foregoing description the nature and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent, I desire to have it understood that I do not limit myself to what is herein shown and described and that such changes may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of what is claimed.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. An air vent for steam heating systems i having a casing provided'with inlet and out let ports, and a float Within the casing permitting air received therein'through the inlet port to escape through the outlet port and operable upon the presence of steam in the inlet port to close both inlet and outlet ports, said float comprising two cones of sheet metal arranged end to end with the apices thereof within said ports.

2. In an air vent for steam heating systems, a casing having aligned inlet and outlet ports, and means controlling said ports including a float having expansible conical parts in alignment with the ports aforesaid, and a member extending transversely of the float and confining the expansion of the conical parts toward said ports. I

3. In an air vent'for steam heating systems, a casing having inlet and outlet ports, and means controlling said ports including a float having expansible end portions engageable with said ports, and a part associated with said portions and confining. the expansion of said portions toward said ports.

4. An air vent for steam heating systems having a casing provided 'at opposite ends with substantiallyaligned ports, and means associated with the casing permitting air re ceived therein through one port to escape through the other port and operable upon the presence of steam in one port to close both ports, including a relatively light sheet'metal float comprising two sections arranged end to end, each section being substantially a cone, the bases of said cones being secured together, and the apices of said cones being engageable with the ports aforesaid. r

An air vent for steam heating systems having a casing provided with inlet and outlet ports, and means within the casin per: mitting air received therein through t e inlet port to pass outwardly through the outlet port, operable upon the presence ofsteam in the inlet port to close both inlet and outlet ports, and operable up on the surging of water in the inlet port to close the outlet-port,'ineluding a float comprisingrtwo sheet-metal sections arranged end to end and engageable with said inlet and outlet ports respectively.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

- EARNEST L. WATSON. 

